Hallfield Lane car park closing for major refurbishment

Hallfield Lane car park in Wetherby town centre is to close this weekend to allow a major refurbishment project to be carried out.

The site owned by Leeds City Council is to close on Sunday 31 May, with improvement works to follow to create a modern car park which will accommodate 153 vehicles, including short-stay parking and retaining permit-only spaces for local residents.

The refurbishment is expected to take approximately 16 weeks to complete, and is being carried out by the council with substantial funding support from Morrisons as part of the planned future extension of their nearby Horsefair Centre store.

The redesign of the car park includes using the latest environmentally-friendly technology, with permeable block paving and an infiltration system being used as part of a Sustainable Urban Draining System (SUDS).

Stormwater surges are collected then released in a controlled way to minimise flooding.While the project takes place, other car parks located in the area for consideration are the recently-improved Station Gardens long-stay car park, Crossley Street and Riverside. Drivers are urged to check local signage and at www.leeds.gov.uk for the latest information.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said:

“We are keen to get on with this major refurbishment of Hallfield Lane car park which together with the recent improvements at Station Gardens will offer enhanced parking in Wetherby town centre.

“We are very grateful to Morrisons for their support and backing of the project, and would ask for patience from anyone inconvenienced by the car park being closed while the work is carried out. We will do our best to minimise any disruption to residents, businesses and shoppers during this period, and look forward to the new-look car park being ready as soon as possible.”

Morrisons property asset manager, John Robson, said:

“We have had a long association with Wetherby and are pleased that our contribution will help the shoppers, visitors and town centre businesses access the town more easily. We will continue to support the council during this process and want to remind people that our car park is unaffected by these works and will remain free for two hours.”